Consumable cartridge



March 24, 1953 w. H. KIN-rzlNGl-:R

CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nm. MQW M, .R I R l l l H Z MN um. mw QN QN www NM. mw\ wm. mm. A. @mw Qvlml mw NN w A m. Y W a E March 24, 1953 w. H..K|N"rz1NGl-:R 2,632,391

CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 24, 1953 w. H. KINTZINGER 2,632,391

' CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE I w Filed Nov. 23, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet V15 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ III/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILI x A l, ILII/ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII l Patented Mar. 24, 1953 l i LE CARTRIDGE liarrenv H.. Kintzinger, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Application November 23, 1945', SeralNo. 630,335."

I Claim. I-

This invention relates to improvements in guns and ammunition therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a cartridge having; a case containing the explosive charge made of a material which is consumed upon ring of the explosive charge. The use of such a cartridge eliminates the necessity for an ejector mechanism in the gun for the cartridge` case, as is necessary for conventional cartridges. Because no ejector mechanism is necessary, the feeding ofthe cartridges to the gun and' the ring of the cartridge may be greatly simplied.

Preferably, the cartridge case is f larger diameter than the projectile. and, the parts are secured together by a flange,` the flange forming a shoulder on the cartridge. The primer is carried by the case adjacent the projectile and iS detonated by a force acting on the ilange or shoulder for firing the explosive charge.

Another object of this invention is to. provide a gun for firing the cartridge of this invention in an improved and simplified' manner. In this respect the gun has a bore for receiving. and guiding the projectile and' a cartridge chamber of larger diameter than the bore, there being a tapered shoulder between the bore and the cartrid'ge chamber. A spring biased plunger advances the cartridge through the cartridge chamber toward the bore and when the shoulder oi. the cartridge strikes the tapered shoulder o the. gun, the primer is detonated and' the explosive charge fired, thereby propellingy the projectile through the bore, retracting the plunger for the. next ring cycle and consuming the cartridge case so that no ejector mechanism is. necessary in the gun. When the plunger is retracted a. new cartridge may be inserted in the cartridge chamber ready for the next firing cycle.Y Since. no ejectorv mechanism is required and`v since new cartridges may bev readily inserted in the cartridge chamber, more rapid firingy of the gun isr made possible.

A further object of' thisl invention to provide an improved means for controlling the advancing andretracting ofthe plunger which has particular utility in the type of gun. of this invention. In this connection, the plunger is provided with a longitudinal" groove andY aV sleeve surroundingthe plunger is likewise provided with a longitudinal groove inalignment with` the other groove. An arm is slidablefrom' one groove tol the other and. a spring advances they arm. When the.` arm slidesY out. ofY the groove in the sleeve into the groove in the plunger, thespring, operates. through the arm to advance the plunger and re the cartridge. The explosiveforce retracts the plunger, compresses the spring, and causes the arm to siide out of the groove in the plunger into the groove in the sleeve Whereby the spring is cocked and the plunger is free. Another spring may be utilized for advancing the plunger when it is free of the rst spring and this second spring may be weaker than the ilrst spring. Trigger means may be utilized for holdiing the plunger retracted against the force of this weaker spring and maybe readily released to permit advancing of the plunger. Beca-use the trigger means actsV in conjunction' with the weaker spring', the trigger action may be made verysensitive, thereby greatly reducing the tendencyl ofV pullingv the gun.

Other' objects of thisA invention reside in` the details of construction of the gun andthe car'- tridge therefor, either alone or in combination.

Further objects' and advantages or this invention will become apparentV to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims, andV drawing, in which- Fig. l is a partial sectional view of one form of the gun of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the gun of Fig. l showing the gun in cocked position;

Fig. 3 is av sectional view similar to Fig.l 2 but. showing the gun in' ring position;

Fig; 4 is a partial sectional viewof another form of the gun. of this invention;v

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of' a portion of the gun of' Fig; 4 showing the. gun in cocked position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectionalv view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the. gun in rng position;

Fig. 7 is. a sectionalv view taken substantially along the line 1 1 of Figs. 2 and 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional. View taken substantially along the line. 8 8. of. Figs. 3 and 6 AFig; 9 is a sectional view takenV substantially` along the line S-gof Figs. 2 and 5 Fig. l0' is an enlarged sectional view of one form of the cartridge to be utilized in the guns,V

of Figs. 1 and 4;

Fig.,1l is an elevational View lookingV from the right in Fig; 10;

Fig; l2 is a sectional view taken substantially. along the linel-l 2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional View of another form of the cartridge which maybeV utilized' with the guns of Figs. l andl 4;

Fig. 1'4 is anelevational view looking from the right in Fig. ISL;

Fig. l5 isa sectional View tale-en substantially along thelinel ISE- 1510i Fig; 13.

Referring rst to Figs. 10, 11 and l2, one form vthe differences in diameters between the projectile I| and the case I4, the flange I forms an external shoulder on the cartridge. vThe ange I5 is provided internally with enlargements |6 for receiving a primer I'I.

When a force is applied to the ange or shoulder I5 the primer II is detonated, thereby ring The explosive force which propels the projectile through the bore 28 also retracts the plunger 3| against the action of the spring means and when the plunger 3| is completely retracted, a new cartridge transfers from the magazine 32 to the cartridge chamber 29. The cartridge chamber 29 is of suicient length to prevent the hot explosive gases from entering the magazine 32. The retracting action of the plunger 3| gives the same elect as though slower burning powder were utilized in the cartridge.

` in the cartridge the charge of explosive I3 which acts to propel j the projectile II. The cartridge case I4 is made of a suitable material such as plastic made of explosive cellulose material which is burned or consumed upon firing of the explosive charge so that there is no need for ejecting the cartridge case from the gun as is required in conventional cartridges. The primer II being located adjacent the projectile is readily ejected through the barrel of a gun along with the projectile. Also, by reason of this location of the primer, faster burning powder may be used in these cartridges as firing takes place immediately at the base of the projectile, no powder is moved, and, further, a clean explosion takes place.

The modied form of cartridge illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 includes the same projectile explosive charge I3, case I4, and flange i5 cooperating with the groove I2. rIhe essential difference between the cartridgeV of Fig. 13 with respect to that of Fig. is the location of the primer. In Fig. 13 the cartridge case I4 is provided with internally located, oppositely disposed arms |8 and I9. The primer 20 is carried between the ends of the arms I8 and I9 so that when a force is applied to the ange or shoulder I5 of the cartridge case, that force is transmitted through the arms I8 and I9 for detonating the primer 20. While the details of construction are somewhat different in this form of the cartridge,

the cartridge operates in substantially the same manner as that of Fig. 10 and obtains substantially the same results.

One form of a gun for ring the cartridges of Figs. 10 to 15 is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and '7 to 9. The gun is generally designated at 25 and includes a barrel 26 carried by a suitable stock 21. The outer end of the barrel 26 is provided with a rie bore 2S which is of such diameter to receive andV guide the projectile of the cartridge I0. The gun barrel also includes a cartridge chamber 29 for receiving the cartridges I9 and the cartridge chamber 29 is of larger diameter than the bore 29. The juncture between the bore 28 and the cartridge chamber 29 comprises a tapered shoulder 39 provided with flutes. A plunger 3|, operated by a spring means to be explained more fully hereafter, advances the cartridge I9 from a position in the cartridge chamber 29 adjacent a cartridge magazine 32 through the cartridge chamber 29 toward the bore 28.

The spring means operates with considerable force in advancing the cartridge I9 and when the flange or shoulder of the cartridge I9 engages the nuted tapered shoulder 39 of the gun, the primer is detonated to fire the explosive charge in the cartridge. The projectile I I is propelled through the bore 28 and due to the nature of the cartridge case it is consumed upon ring.

Because faster burning powder may be utilized I6 and because no ejector mechanism is required in the gun by reason of the self-consuming cartridge case, the gun is capable of more rapid firing than conventional guns utilizing slower burning powder and conventional ejecting mechanisms for the cartridge cases.

The spring means for advancing the plunger 3| and for controlling the retraction thereof is more clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8. The plunger 3| is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 35 for receiving a pin 36 carried by the barrel of the gun. The groove35 and pin 36 operate to prevent rotation of the plunger 3| as it is advanced and retracted.

A sleeve 31 mounted within the barrel 26 has a plurality of longitudinal grooves 33, four being utilized for purposes of illustration. The plunger 3| also includes a like number of longitudinal grooves 39, the grooves 39 being in alignment with the grooves 38. A plurality of arms 40 are adapted to operate in the grooves 38 and 39 and to slide from one set of grooves to the other set of grooves. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the arms 49 are located within the grooves 33, while in Figs. 3 and 8 they are located in the grooves 39.

|The gun barrel 26 is provided with an enlarged bore 42 for slidably receiving an actuator 43. The actuatorv is provided with an internal opening permitting the plunger 3| to extend therethrough and is also provided with an annulus 44 for receiving the ends of the arms 49. The annulus 44 is of suicient size to accommodate the arms 40 when they are in the outer position as shown in Fig. 2, or the inner position as shown in Fig. 3. One end of a compression spring 45 is located in a seat 46 in the actuator 43. The other end of the spring 45 is located in a seat 47 of a spring anchor 48. The spring anchor 48 is held stationary by a screw 49. The screw 49 when removed permits removal of the parts within the gun barrel and may also be utilized for adjusting the position of the spring anchor 48 and hence adjusting the compression of the spring 45. The spring 45 therefore operates to urge the actuator 43 to the right, which in turn operates through the arms 40 when they are located in the grooves 39 in the plunger 3| to advance the plunger 3|.

The screw 49 carries a guide pin 5| which extends into a bore 52 in the plunger 3|. The guide pin 5| is utilized for guiding a small spring 54. One end of the small spring 54 is seated in a spring seat 53 in the screw 49 and the other end of the spring 54 abuts against the end of the plunger 3| The small spring 54, therefore, at all times urges the plunger 3| toward the right. The force of the small spring 54 is considerably less than the force of the large spring 45. The spring anchor 48 is provided with a bore 55 for accommodating the small spring 54.

acarrear The; plunger 3|!V is; provided with a notch; adapted toreceive. a. searv pin 58. of a ytrigger mechanism 59; for' holding thezplunger 3:|; in a retracted posi-tion.

With. the. parts; inthe. position shown in Fig. 2, the plunger 3| is retracted and is. being, heldv in the retracted position4 by the sear pin 58 of the. trigger mechanism. The. s'ear pin 53 is holding the plunger 3| against the action of the small spring 54. The arms 48 are located in the grooves 38 of the sleeve. 31 and are held in those positions by the plunger 3|, it being noted that the grooves 39 in the plunger 3i are at the extreme left position. Thev large spring 45 is therefore cocked and is; at this time exerting no force on the plunger Whenl thetrigger mechanism 58 is operated to release the Sear pin 58 from the notch 51, the. small spring 54 advances the plunger 3|. As: the plunger 3l advances the grooves 39 therein advance along the arms 43. When the right ends of the grooves 39 line upr with the right ends of the arms 43, the spring 45 exerting a. force on the arms 40- causes the arms 40 to enter the grooves 39 and when they enter the grooves 33 the large spring 45 then becomes effective to advance the plunger 3|. The arms 48 are held within the grooves 33 by reason of the fact that they have now advanced beyond the grooves 38 in the sleeve 31. At this point, therefore, the force of the large spring 45 is added to that of the small spring 54 whereby the plunger 3| is therefore advanced rapidly with considerable force.

This rapid and forceful advancing of the plunger 3|, carrying with it the cartridge I8, causes the shoulder or flange of the cartridge I to strike the tapered shoulder 38 of the gun with considerable force, thereby detonating the primer and ring the cartridge.

The explosive force causes retracting of the plunger 3| and in its initial retracting movement the plunger 3| operates against the heavy spring 45 and the light spring 54. The combined forces of these springs absorb much of the initial force of the ring, thereby controlling the retraction of the plunger 3|.

As the plunger 3l retracts to a point where the right ends of the arms 46 line up with the grooves 38 in the sleeves 31, the arms 43 are slid into the grooves 38 by the plunger 3| and are held in the grooves 38 by the further retraction of the plunger 3|. At this point. therefore, the force of the heavy spring 45 is removed from the plunger 3| whereby further retraction of the plunger 3i is against the light spring 54. At this time much of the explosive force has expended itself and because at this time retraction of the plunger 3| is being opposed only by the light spring 54, complete retraction of the plunger 3| is assured. When the plunger 3| is completely retracted in this manner, the Sear pin 58 engages within the notch 51 to hold the plunger 3| retracted, In this manner a single ring of the gun may be accomplished. If the trigger mechanism 58 is maintained depressed so that the sear pin 28 is retracted, r-apid firing of the gun may be obtained for just as soon as the plunger 3| becomes completely retracted it Will start an advancing movement and the ring cycles will be continuous until such time as the sear pin 53 is released to engage in the notch 51.

The plunger 3| may be provided With a handle (not shown) extending outwardly from the gun, whereby the plunger 3| may be manually retracted for' the purpose of manual cookingV of. the gun. also,v the gun.- may be provided witnthe. usual safety (not shown).

Figs. 4, 5'. and 6, show' a. slightly modified form of. the gun. Here the. gun. is gener-ally designated'. at 65 and may include abarrel 53. suitably mounted in a stock 61. The bore` 28', the cartridge chamberY 29', the: fluted. tapered. shoulder 38,. the plunger 31,. the cartridge; magazine 32,. theigroove 35. and pin 3.3',V the sleevev 31,4 the longi-tu'dinafll` grooves 38 inthe' sleeve, the longitudinal.,groovesI 3a inV theplunger, the; arms. 44'r the actuator-43,. the: large; spring 45, andthe spring anchor 48.01? this modied gun are the same as the correspond.- ing. parts ofv the gunzof. Figs. lr to 3v and like reference; characters havebeen utilized for like parts', These parts operate in the same manner in botn guns and', therefore, a. further description isnot considerednecessary;

Essentially, the main diierence between theI gun of Fig. 4 and the gun of Fig. l is that in Fig. l the. trigger mechanism works inconnection with the small spring rather than in connection with theplunger asin Eig. l.,

The gun of. Figs. 4to. 6 includesla screw thread` ed plug llfor locating.r the spring. anchor 4'8. This screw threaded plug 113 is provided With a bore for slidably receiving a pin 1| which extends forwardly into a bore 12 Within the plunger 3|. The right end of the pin 1| normally engages the end of the bore 12 in the plunger 3|. The screw threaded plug 1 has a spring seat 13 for receiving one end of a small spring 14. The other end oi' the small spring 14 engages a collar 15 carried by the pin 1| so that the spring 14 urges the pin 1| to the right and since the pin 1| engages the end of the bore 12 in the plunger 3l, it also urges the plunger 3| in an advancing direction to the right.

The rear end of the pin 1| is provided with a shoulder portion 16 adapted to receive the sear pin 11 of a trigger mechanism 18. The rear end of the barrel 56 may be provided with a suitable plug 19 which may be removed for disassembly of the parts Within the barrel 66.

With the parts in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the plunger 3| is retracted, the pin 1| is also retracted, and the sear pin 11 is maintainmg the pin 1| in the retracted position. The coll-ar i5 on the pin 1| maintains the small spring 14 compressed. Because the plunger 3| is retracted, the arms are Within the grooves 38 in the sleeve 31 and the large spring 45 is compressed but is not exerting any advancing motion to the plunger 3 When the trigger mechanism 18 is compressed the sear pin 11 releases the pin 1| whereupon the light spring 14 acts through the collar 15 on the pin 1| to advance the pin 1| and the plunger 3|. When the plunger 3| has advanced a predetermined amount, the arms 48 then slide into the grooves 33 in the plunger 3|, and the large spring operates in conjunction with the small spring 14 to advance the plunger 3| rapidly and With considerable force to the ring position.

Upon ring of the cartridge l0, the plunger 3| is retraced against the action of the large spring 45 and the small spring 14 and when the plunger 3| has retracted a predetermined amount, the arms 48 slide into the grooves 38 1n the sleeve 31, whereupon the large spring 45 becomes cocked and exerts no force on the plunger 3| Continued retracting movement of the plunger 3| beyond this point causes continued yThe gun of Fig. 4 is therefore substantially the `art upon reference to this disclosure, and,Y

therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claim and prior art.

I claim as my invention:

A cartridge comprising, a projectile, a charge of explosive for propelling the projectile, a cylindrical case containing the charge of explosive and having a iiange for attachment to the projectile, a pair of oppositely disposed arms ex- 8 tending inwardly from the flange, said cylindrical case adapted to be consumed upon ring of the explosive charge, and a primer carried between the oppositely disposed arms to be detonated by a force acting at the ange through the arms for ring the explosive charge.

WARREN H. KINTZINGER.

REFERENCES CITED VThe following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 35,949 Potter July 22, 1862 44.692 Sneider Oct. 11, 1864 58,800 Fitch Oct. 1-6, 1866 895,558 Harris Aug. 11, 1908 1,461,013 Hodge July 3, 1923 1,782,148 Ross Nov. 18, 1930 2,428,683 Sampson et al. Oct. 7, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 661,306 Germany July 5, 1938 

